While Gerold is away on Emperor's business in Westphalia, Richild arranges a marriage for Joan to the son of a farrier, who shoes horses, and also gets the bishop to release Joan from school. When the bishop insists on waiting for Gerold's return, Richild threatens to expose his practice of keeping paramours to the upcoming church council.
Richild tells Joan her marriage is arranged and that Gerold has had many flirtations, of which she is only just one. She tells Joan that the marriage was Gerold's idea. Joan pleads with the bishop, but he has no choice. John will be forced to leave Dorstadt, as well.
Joan plans to escape from Villaris with John, but Richild intercepts her letter to her brother, drugs her, poisons her pet wolf, and drags Joan the next day.....
